Jamie Hyneman

Instantly recognizable in his beret and thick mustache, special effects expert and TV host Jamie Hyneman was born in Marshall, Michigan. Though he left home at age 14 to hitchhike around the country, he eventually enrolled at Indiana University, where he graduated with a degree in Russian linguistics. He would go on to hold down a diverse collection of jobs, working as a machinist, an animal wrangler, a chef, and a certified dive master. Eventually, Hyneman's interest in special effects led him to join the special effects team on the movie "Top Gun" (1986). After working on additional films like "Flubber" (1997) and "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999), Hyneman got the chance to use his special effects knowledge in a new setting as a host on the series "MythBusters" (Discovery Channel, 2003-). Putting urban legends and popular misconceptions to the scientific test using fun and often strange practical simulations, Hyneman and his partner Adam Savage racked up a number of Emmy nominations for Best Reality Series, with Hyneman eventually becoming a producer on the show. Hyneman and Savage's personas would become so indelible, they were asked to make a cameo appearance together in the movie "The Darwin Awards" (2006).